Tributes & Obituaries

East Longmeadow- Robert A. Monroe (Bob) age 84, beloved husband of 63 years to Joan (Wakelee) Monroe, passed away peacefully at his home February 20, 2020. He was born on December 17, 1935 in Waterbury, Connecticut to Arnold and Lela (Forsberg) Monroe and was a resident in the Springfield area for over 60 years. He received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and his MBA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Bob and Joan were high school sweethearts, got married while Bob was still a...

Chicopee- James M. Antico, 40, died unexpectedly on February 18, 2020 surrounded by family. James was born on June 26, 1979 to Bruno Jr. and Paula (Christiana) Antico in Springfield. Jim grew up in Agawam, graduating from Agawam High School in 1997 and going on to receive an associate’s degree in Criminal justice from Holyoke Community College. He soon found his passion to be a Correctional Officer at Osborn Correctional Facility in Somers CT. He was a most loving, kind man who would...

East Longmeadow- Carol Ann (Spies) Settembre 87, passed away at her home on February 18, 2020. She was the wife of 65 years to Gennaro Settembre. Born in Southbridge, she was a daughter of the late Earl R. and Frances M. (Nolan) Spies; she was an East Longmeadow resident for the past 55 years, prior to having lived in Springfield from the age of 5. Carol was last employed and retired from the Longmeadow School System as a cafeteria worker where she made many friends; and was...

Paul J.L. Root, 42, died unexpectedly at home on February 17, 2020.  Born in Springfield on May 19, 1977, he was a son of Gerald F. and Eileen (Easton) Root.  Paul was a graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School, graduated from Springfield College and earned his Master of Fine Arts degree at Goddard College.  As an artist, Paul worked in oil, acrylic and pen and ink.  He was  self-taught in screen printing and developed a successful business, Blackthorn Prints, that offered prints of...

Agawam - Marie Suzanne Fafard, 55, of Agawam passed away February 15th at Baystate Medical Center. Born in Springfield, Marie lived her whole life in the Springfield area. She attended Longmeadow public schools and graduated from Longmeadow High School in 1987. Marie relished spending time with her family and had a special place in her heart for her grand nephews and nieces. She took great pleasure in playing cards, especially 31, and looked forward to outings to the casino to play...

John M. “Jack” Sinico, 81, former resident of Southwick, MA for over 45 years; passed away peacefully February 14, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Born December 4, 1938 in Pittsfield, MA, he was a son to the late Marcel J. and Martha A. (Donnachie) Sinico. Jack graduated from Pittsfield High School and later married Beverly J. Zimmerman on October 31, 1959. Together they raised three children. He was a salesperson with Berkshire Coca Cola, later was the district sales...

Sandra A. Allen, 74, passed away peacefully February 13, 2020. Born March 14, 1945 in Springfield, MA, she was a daughter to the late Joseph and Isabelle (Giannini) Poe. She is survived by her husband of nearly 28 years Richard; daughter Kimberly Merritt and her husband, Brett; son Michael Williams; grandchildren Chelsea and Jake Merritt; sister Joann Hillios; brother Edward Poe; and other loving relatives and friends. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 4-7PM at...

West Springfield- Maria A. (Barry) Hutchinson, 68, of West Springfield MA, joined the Father February 12, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center. Maria was born July 6, 1951 to the late Francis and Maria (Grunagel) Barry of Stafford Springs CT, and a graduate of Hampden High School and South Central Community College. Married in 1984, by His Grace, Maria and loving husband Allan were blessed with many years together in the Lower Pioneer Valley. She will be deeply missed by her husband Allan Hutchinson...

SPRINGFIELD – Elizabeth “Betty” “Tootie” J. (Zarlengo) Miller, 72, passed away on February 12, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Springfield, MA on October 20, 1947 to the late Angelo and Elizabeth (Lynch) Zarlengo. She attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Grammar School and graduated from Cathedral High School in the Class of 1965. Betty then obtained her Associate’s Degree from STCC. After 30 years of dedicated...

Marion F. (Hastings) Vecchio, 95, of Southwick, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Heritage Hall West in Agawam. She was the beloved wife of 62 years to the late Ralph A. Vecchio. Marion was born in Southwick on June 2, 1924 and was the daughter of the late Warren C. Hastings and Ruth Amoret Hastings. She had worked for the United States Postal Service for 25 years until her retirement. Marion enjoyed reading, knitting, hosting coffee hours at the Southwick...